The Nominations

WE ARE NOW TAKING NOMINATIONS FOR OUR NEXT HERO OF THE MONTH!!!
This year, we are sending surprise encouragement packages to our country's heroes every month.

Our inspiration came from this great paper we found at Mardel!

After selecting a hero (either past or present military personnel), we will send out a request for encouragement. People around the world will email us encouraging notes and letters addressed to our selected hero. We will print these encouraging notes on the paper above, and send them to our hero. Hopefully we will be able to help our nation's heroes through some tough times.

Do you have a hero in mind that needs some encouragement?

We are now taking nominations for our Hero of the Month.
Please email us their story and why you think we should choose them as our Hero of the Month. Please keep all nominations 750 words or less :  theartofencouragement@yahoo.com

Nominations for the following month are due by the last day of the current month!!! Don't Delay!

Please leave your contact information and put "HERO OF THE MONTH" in the subject line.

Please include info like name, hometown, age, name of family members, and a picture if possible. We want to know as much as we can!
We must have a current address in order to send our package. PLEASE include this address in your nomination letter.

(If your nomination is not chosen this month, it will be placed in the running for next month, for your convenience. We will contact you prior to selecting your hero to make sure your nomination is still relevent at the time of selection.)
Nominations will be taken all year long. The month in which you nominate will qualify you for the following month's selection.

After reading the nominations, we will allow our facebook fans to vote on their favorite story.

Good luck and happy nominating!


Ashley Hyde
Founder of The Art of Encouragement


Want to help cover the shipping of our Hero of the Month packages? Donate to TAOE via the button below. You just need a credit or debit card!

Our Heroes of the Month

 Chaz Allen - February 2011 (Read More Here)
 Ronnie McCulley - April 2011 (Read More Here)
 Rusty Dunagan - August 2011 (Read More Here)

February's Hero of the Month

Hey Everyone!

We received one nomination for TAOE's February “HERO OF THE MONTH”, and I’m glad we didn’t have to decide between more than one!
We need your help to send encouragement to our chosen soldier! Just a reminder, our hero of the month program is a chance for you to write a letter to an American hero. Please take a moment from your busy schedule to thank someone who has ensured your freedom.

 This nomination is a special one and it comes from Joy Reader-Cummings.

Staff Sergeant Chaz Allen, a soldier from Ravia, Oklahoma, was hit with an IED in Afghanistan on January 21st. He was transported to the US military hospital at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Both of Chaz’s legs were amputated above the knees.  He also suffered a broken arm and a handful of other injuries.

SSG Allen was transported to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. and was in surgery on Wednesday January 26th.  His mother called the hospital and found out about the surgery, but didn't know what the surgery was for.  
Chaz’s mother, Denise, left for Washington D.C. on Friday January 28th.  She wants to thank everyone again for all the prayers and support she has received. She said Chaz was moved to a less intensive ICU room, and is doing better.
Chaz’s wife says his spirits are really good and he is joking around. He told his Dad he wanted some OU shorts. He really likes OU stuff and wants everyone to know he is from Oklahoma!

Chaz graduate from Tishomingo High School (in Oklahoma). He has been serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army since June.

Please read Mr. Chaz Allen’s story and send us your notes of thanks, encouragement, and well wishes. 

All messages must be received by Monday February 7th at 7pm (Central Standard Time).
The package will be send Monday afternoon. 

You can submit your message to Chaz via email at theartofencouragement@yahoo.com. 

Don't forget to sign your name, age, and where you're from.

Please feel free to pass this note along to your friends. The more messages the better!

THANK YOU!

Ashley Hyde

Founder - The Art of Encouragement

***EDIT***

Here are some of the goodies we sent to Chaz!
A comfy OU Shirt and a no-sew pillow to help keep warm in those cold hospital rooms!